Are we becoming more intelligent with time? The Flynn effect certainly indicates so. The Flynn effect refers to the increase in IQ test scores over the 20th century, first identified by political scientist James Flynn in the 1980s. Numerous research studies corroborate his findings.
There are various theories to explain this phenomenon. One theory attributes it to the improvements in overall health and nutrition. Over the last 100 years, there has been a decrease in women smoking and drinking alcohol while pregnant. People have also stopped using toxic lead paint. Other factors include improved prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and improved nutrition. In short, we have successfully addressed many public health issues that may have prevented people in the past from achieving their full potential.
Another theory posits that societal changes stemming from the Industrial Revolution are responsible. The idea is that we have developed new mental habits that are useful in the modern age. To substantiate this theory, Flynn found that IQ scores have increased the fastest on questions that tell us to identify similarities between different things and concern more abstract types of problem-solving – both required more often in modern society.
There are other possible explanations for the Flynn effect. Schooling has shifted to focus more on analysis than memorization and more people today are likely to finish high school and college. Also, families are overall smaller, allowing children to receive more attention from their parents and pick up more vocabulary. The Flynn effect shows us that the human brain is more flexible and adaptable than we previously thought.